USCIS Restores Halted NY Naturalization Ceremonies Across Counties

(NEW YORK) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has restored naturalization ceremonies across New York after a sudden wave of cancellations left hundreds of would-be citizens in limbo and sparked loud protests from elected officials and immigrant advocates. The reversal, confirmed on November 20, 2025, affects at least seven counties where ceremonies had been halted without a clear explanation, raising fears that the final step to U.S. 🇺🇸 citizenship might be pushed off indefinitely.

What happened and where it occurred

The cancellations took place on November 12, 2025, and affected ceremonies in the following counties:

Local officials reported receiving abrupt notices from USCIS field offices with little detail about whether the stoppage was temporary or part of a longer policy change. Applicants who had already passed their citizenship tests and background checks were told at the last moment that their long-planned ceremonies would not go ahead.

Reasons given (and lack of detail)

USCIS officials quietly suggested to some local partners that the cancellations were connected to the recent federal government shutdown, but they shared few details about how budget or staffing issues had played into the decision. That lack of information fed concern that the agency might centralize naturalization ceremonies in fewer locations, forcing applicants in upstate and suburban areas of New York to travel far from home to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Political and legal responses

• Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican representing parts of the lower Hudson Valley, said he pressed USCIS Director Joseph Edlow directly about why ceremonies in Rockland and Westchester had been called off. Lawler announced that the agency had agreed to reverse course and allow events in those counties to resume “immediately,” describing new citizens as people who strengthen their communities every single day.

“The agency had agreed to reverse course and allow events in those counties to resume ‘immediately,’” — Rep. Mike Lawler

• New York Attorney General Letitia James sent a formal letter to Director Edlow on November 19, 2025, urging USCIS to restore naturalization ceremonies statewide. Her office requested a written response by December 4, 2025, and asked for:
  • Clear answers about how the shutdown affected ceremonies
  • The total number of people impacted
  • Any plans for permanent changes to where and how ceremonies are conducted
• On Capitol Hill, Senator Chuck Schumer publicly blamed the administration for the disruption and demanded ceremonies be quickly rescheduled. He described the cancellations as “cruel” and “confusing” for families who had completed the legal requirements for naturalization.

Community impact

Naturalization ceremonies are emotional milestones for many families. Couples invite relatives, parents bring children out of school, and friends gather in county courthouses or local theaters to witness loved ones swear loyalty to the United States.

When counties announced the sudden cancellations, community groups reported:
– Panicked calls from people who had bought new clothes, taken time off work, or arranged child care
– Distress from seniors and people with disabilities who might not be able to travel far
– Concern from working parents and low-income applicants who lack flexible transportation options

Local leaders stressed that holding ceremonies near where people live is about more than convenience. When USCIS partners with local courts and governments, it helps new citizens feel rooted in the places where they pay taxes, raise families, and open small businesses. Some officials worried that moving ceremonies to distant federal buildings would drain these events of their sense of community.

USCIS response and next steps

As pressure grew, USCIS confirmed that it would allow ceremonies to resume immediately in the affected New York counties, though detailed schedules had not yet been made public as of the reversal.

• County clerks and court administrators have begun coordinating with USCIS about:
  • New dates
  • Venues
  • Security arrangements
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the swift reversal highlights how quickly public and political pressure can affect frontline immigration operations, even when agencies initially cite budgetary or shutdown-related constraints.

Applicants who were caught in the disruption are expected to receive updated ceremony notices in the coming days and weeks. Timing will vary by county.

Why the timing matters for applicants

People who have already been approved for naturalization but have not yet attended the oath ceremony generally cannot:
– Vote
– Apply for a U.S. passport
– Sponsor certain relatives

Even a short delay can therefore affect:
– Plans to register for upcoming elections
– Travel to visit sick family members abroad
– Filing petitions for children who may age out of other immigration categories

Broader implications and reactions

Immigration lawyers said the New York cancellations underscore how fragile the final stages of the process can be for applicants who have spent years navigating the system. There was no formal change to the law or naturalization requirements, but a single scheduling decision by USCIS disrupted what many see as one of the most hopeful parts of the immigration story.

Advocates argued that any future federal shutdown planning should include strong protections for naturalization ceremonies, especially for applicants who have already been approved.

Official resources

USCIS has not released a detailed public explanation for why New York experienced so many simultaneous cancellations or why some areas were unaffected. The agency emphasized that naturalization remains a core part of its mission and that it is working to reduce backlogs.

• Official guidance on how ceremonies are supposed to function, including what happens on the day of the event and what documents new citizens receive, is available at: USCIS – Naturalization Ceremonies

Current status and outlook

For now, the reinstatement offers relief to hundreds of would-be Americans across the state. County officials are racing to secure courtrooms, judges, and staff to hold ceremonies that were supposed to occur in mid-November, while community organizations prepare to help affected residents read their new notices and make arrangements.

After days of confusion and anger, the focus in New York has shifted back to what many applicants had hoped for all along: standing with their families, raising their right hands, and leaving as citizens of the United States.

Important deadline: New York Attorney General Letitia James requested a written response from USCIS by December 4, 2025 regarding the cancellations and their impacts.